Implement aggressive information gathering, robust analytic, and rigorous performance measures to improve the quality of your decisions. This is about more than data collection. Successful leaders ensure that every dollar spent on data produces meaningful returns in terms of speed and effectiveness.

By researching the lessons learned from past government downsizing and through a series of recent workshops with current and former government executives, Booz Allen Hamilton identified seven common practices that the most successful public-sector leaders are using to improve effectiveness and efficiency despite major budget cuts.

“Today’s budget realities provide a catalyst and opportunity to drive innovation and improve overall agency effectiveness,” said Booz Allen Executive Vice President Pat Peck. “These shared managerial practices can help agency leaders meet today’s challenges head-on to achieve results and create a more efficient, effective government for the 21st Century.”